Links to local resources for the prevention of Youth/Family Homelessness.

• Shelter/Housing Assistance
• Food

Shelter/Housing Assistance

• Adolescent Housing Hub (AHH): AHH services are available to homeless youth, youth at risk for homelessness, and youth aging out of the child welfare system, ages 16 – 21 years.
   
• Advance Housing: The Aging Out Youth Program provides permanent supportive housing services to youth aging out of the NJ Department of Children and Family services and transitioning to the adult mental health system.
   
• Bergen County Board of Social Services: All Ages.  Assists with Security Deposits, Rent, Utilities.  NJ Helps is a private, free, easy way for you to pre-screen for programs that are available to help you and your family.  
   
• Bergen County Home Improvement Program (HIP): The Bergen County Home Improvement Program provides resources to rehabilitate existing one- and two-family housing. The Bergen County Home Improvement Program (Get HIP!) provides resources to rehabilitate existing one- and two-family housing.
   
• Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services (The Center): This is a one stop location serving men and women who are homeless, individuals and families whose housing is unstable, and others who require assistance connecting to needed services including shelter.  
   
• Bergen County's United Way, Compassion Fund: All Ages. The largest source of direct and timely financial assistance for people struggling to make ends meet in community.
   
• Bergen HEARTS - Homeless Family Services: Housing, Emergency Shelter, Advocacy Resources, and Tools for Self-Sufficiency
   
• Birth Haven - Shelter and Hope for Young Mothers: Birth Haven is an independent, non-sectarian, non-profit organization that provides shelter, support, and education for homeless, pregnant women and girls.
   
• Care Plus NJ: Provider of comprehensive, recovery-focused mental health and substance abuse services in Northern New Jersey with a range of services.
  • Adoption House: A Home-Like Environment for Children Awaiting Permanent Placement.
  • Housing Works Initiative (HWI): Housing Works Initiative works with Bergen County residents, who are currently homeless and maintaining temporary shelter placement at the Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center.  
  • Rapid Re-Housing for Individuals (RRHI): A Care Plus program designed to assist individuals 18 years or older, who are literally homeless in Bergen County, secure permanent housing. The program couples rental assistance and case management services to ensure the individuals are successful in sustaining their housing placement.
  • Strive for Independence: A dynamic supportive housing program servicing homeless youth that are aging out of the Children's System of Care. This program serves males and females ages 18-21 and is designed to develop life skills and strengths to help youth reach their full potential.
• Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey (CSPNJ): A statewide behavioral health agency incorporated in 1984, CSPNJ has established itself as a respected innovator of housing, Community Wellness Centers, employment, and economic development services that promote the wellness and recovery of people with the lived experience of behavioral health conditions.
   
• Community Hope, Inc.: Helping individuals, including veterans, and their families, overcome mental illness, addiction, homelessness, and poverty by providing housing and support services.
   

• Covenant House New Jersey: CHNJ helps youth facing homelessness and human trafficking. We provide immediate shelter and care for youth age 18-21. We also provide an array of services to promote resilience to enable our clients to transition to independent living.

• Division of Family Guidance: Provides clinical, residential, educational, correctional, case management, and monitoring services to at-risk children, adolescents, and families, particularly those who are otherwise unable to receive needed services. 
  • Bergen's Place Youth Shelter: A state licensed residential crisis and homeless shelter for youth ages 11 through 17. Runaway, homeless and at risk youth may access the program on a walk in or referral basis 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The program addresses youths’ immediate needs, including food, clothing, health and mental wellbeing. Bergen’s Place is a safe and welcoming environment for any youth.
  • Shelter-Plus Care (Division of Family Guidance and Bergen County Housing Authority)
    • Must be a resident of Bergen County.
    • Must be between the ages of 18 and 21 at time of initial eligibility.
    • On an annual basis, must meet HUD eligibility requirements and need continued supportive services.
  • VISIONS: Residents of Bergen County -Between the ages of 16½ and 22

• EDGE NJ: The mission of EDGE New Jersey is to respond compassionately and responsibly to the HIV+ and LGBTQ+ communities by providing supportive services, housing opportunities, prevention strategies, and education to enhance the community we serve. 

• Essex County LGBT RAIN Foundation: Provides emergency shelter services to address the emergent need of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) individuals experiencing crisis leading to homelessness.
   
• Eva's Village: Eva's Village provides a wide range of services for the poor in NJ, including food, shelter, substance abuse treatment, primary medical and dental care and a variety of transitional and permanent housing options. Additional supportive services available through Eva's Village include, parenting classes, play therapy, personal finance workshops, job training  and placement.
   
• Family Promise of Bergen County: Sheltering Program for homeless working families with dependent children.
   

• Grace-In-Motion: We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to empowering marginalized individuals, families, and children by building relationships through community outreach, homeless outreach, financial assistance, and educational programs.

• Goodwill Rescue Mission: Goodwill Rescue Mission has met the short-term, emergency needs of the hurting and homeless of Newark and Essex County caught in the cycles of poverty, hopelessness and dependencies of many kinds with compassionate care services - hot food, safe shelter, warm showers, hygiene items and fresh, clean clothes, and encouragement from God’s word.
   
• Greater Bergen Community Action: Part of a nationwide network of poverty-fighting enterprises which were established as part of the nation’s effort to address the intractable and persistent problem of poverty in America.
  • Bergen County Emergency Rental Relief Program: Are you a landlord with tenants facing months of outstanding rent? Has the COVID-19 pandemic caused you to fall behind on your rent? Relief is on the way! You may be eligible for Bergen County's Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program which covers past rent and utilities up dating back to March 2020.
  • Financial Assistance, Residential & Energy Services: Provides financial education, credit counseling, housing counseling, as well as home energy assistance programs.
  • Greater Bergen Housing Coalition: Provides guidance and case service in matters of landlord-Tenant Law to low and moderate income individuals.
  • The Ladder Project: A NJ State Halfway house that provides intensive services for men who are recovering from chronic substance abuse.
  • PHASES: (Program for Homeless Adolescents Seeking an Environment of Stability) is a supportive transitional living program for youth ages 16 to 21, male and female. 

  • Real Estate Development & Management Division: Provides affordable housing for first-time homebuyers, senior citizens, low and moderate income persons and individuals with special needs by constructing and renovating residences for single family ownership and multiple dwelling unit rentals.

• Homeless Shelters Directory: Call the Provider Number listed on the all listing pages for help. Do not email the Homeless Shelter Directory for help. We are a website only. The Homeless Shelter Directory was started as a list of homeless shelters.

• Housing Authorities
  • Cliffside Park Housing Authority: Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD’s mission is to increase home ownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination.
  • Edgewater Housing Authority: It is the mission of the Edgewater Housing Authority to provide affordable housing services for the low and moderate income residents of the Borough.
  • Englewood Housing Authority: Englewood Housing was founded in 1976. The first building to be constructed was the Vincente K. Tibbs Senior Citizen building at 111 West Street in 1976 consisting of 152 units of efficiency and one bedroom units. In 1981 Westmoor Gardens, a section 8 Multi-Family Housing Complex, was constructed for 64 families.
  • Fort Lee Housing Authority: The Housing Authority has maintained and continues to maintain a commitment to provide programs and support systems to all low income households.
  • Garfield Housing Authority: The Housing Authority of the City of Garfield, New Jersey, is an equal housing opportunity agency that has been providing housing to low to moderate income Families and Seniors since 1949 in attractive and well maintained properties. The Housing Authority owns and manages 456 units of Public Housing.
  • Hackensack Housing Authority: Our mission is to provide adequate and affordable housing, economic opportunity and a suitable living environment free from discrimination and an atmosphere that promotes educational growth and family stability.
  • Lodi Housing Authority: Lodi Housing Authority is a Public Housing Agency that operates under the jurisdiction of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is dedicated to providing decent, safe and sanitary housing within a suitable living environment.
  • Housing Authority of Bergen County (HABC): Our main emphasis is the efficient management and maintenance of our affordable housing units and rental assistance programs.
• Jewish Family and Children's Services of Northern New Jersey: Provides services that include information and referrals, mental health services, employment services, senior care, after-school programs, aid and advocacy, and emergency financial assistance.
   
• Low Income Heat & Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): All Ages. The Home Energy Assistance Program helps very low income residents with their heating and cooling bills, and makes provisions for emergency heating system services and emergency fuel assistance within the Home Energy Assistance Program.
   
• Market Street Mission: We meet your physical needs with food, shelter, clothing, and other necessities, and their emotional and spiritual needs with guidance and life change programs.
   
• Navigator Notes Housing List: Click here for the latest news about senior and/or affordable apartments in Bergen County.
   
• NJ Buddies: Provides support, education and services for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
   
• NJ Department of Community Affairs: Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) - Helps very low-income residents with their heating and cooling bills. 
   
• NJ PowerOn: We help individuals and families who are seeking relief in paying their gas, electric, and oil bills, assisting clients through the entire the application process, from program selection through the final grant award.
   
• NJ SHARES: A statewide non-profit corporation providing assistance to individuals and families in need of help meeting their energy and utility burden.
   
• Oasis - A Haven for Women and Children: We carry out educational and social service programs that help women enter and succeed in the workforce and help children flourish academically. We also operate a soup kitchen and provide emergency food, clothing, and social support to city residents in need.
   
• Out-of-Home Residential Programs (Volunteers of America): Our programs offer guidance to youth who may be experiencing emotional, behavioral and/or psychological difficulties, as well as homelessness.
   
• Peter's Place Safe Haven for the Homeless: For the six coldest months of the year (November - April), since January 1996, Christ Church has provided shelter to our homeless neighbors.
   
• Rebuilding Together North Jersey: Makes critical safety repairs to homes of low income residents, seniors, veterans and those with physical or developmental disabilities.
   
• Roots & Wings: We provide young adults who age out of New Jersey’s foster care system with safe housing, case management, education, counseling, and life skills in order to empower them toward self-sufficiency.
   
• Salvation Army Cornerstone House: The Cornerstone House is the only homeless shelter of its kind in Suburban Essex County. The 23 bed facility houses families and individuals in a drug and alcohol free environment.
   
• Scholarships for Homeless Youth: National Center for Homeless Education (NHCE) shares the following links to information about scholarship opportunities for college-bound youth. Some of these opportunities are specific to homeless or formerly homeless youth, while others are open to other student groups but may be of particular interest to youth experiencing homelessness. 
   
• Several Sources Shelters: A safe, family-style home and basic personal care items are available to you at no cost during your pregnancy and for a pre-determined amount of time afterwards with your child.
   
• Sierra House: Sierra House offers ABA services for eligible children, youth and young adults under age 21 with challenging behaviors and developmental disabilities.
  • Transitional Program: The Sierra House Transitional Program is a structured two-year program that provides housing, counseling, and other critical social services to homeless, young women and mothers between the ages of 18 and 25, who are victims of abuse, neglect, or aging out of the foster care system. Participants of the program are economically disadvantaged and face barriers to employment, education, income and health.
• Supportive Services For Veteran Services (Catholic Charities of Paterson and Newark): This program is to help Veteran Families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis and/or homelessness.
   
• Social Services Association of Ridgewood and Vicinity: Provides food, emergency rent, utility assistance and support services to individuals and families that reside in Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Midland Park, Ho-Ho-Kus, Wyckoff and Waldwick.
   

• Soldier On: A door-to-door outreach campaign assisting veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

• Spectrum for Living: Helps adults with developmental disabilities attain their maximum potential by providing quality housing and clinical services in state-of-the-art facilities and in the homes of families caring for a disabled loved one.

• Vantage Health System: Our mission is to provide those we serve opportunities for wellness through integrated mental and physical healthcare, support services and affordable housing. 

• Zoe's Place (CAFS): provides safe, supervised free housing, safety-net services and mentoring for young mothers, ages 18–24, and their children.

Food

• Bergen County Food Security Task Force: This Task Force is charged with devising new solutions to ensure every County resident has access to healthy food options during this pandemic and afterwards. 
   
• Center for Food Action (CFA): All Ages. Provides food, housing, utility and heating assistance and offers counseling and advocacy services to low income individuals and families.
  • Englewood
  • Hackensack
  • Mahwah
  • Ringwood
• Church of St. Anne Food Pantry: Our Pantry assists over 200 people every month with food, personal items, and household products.
   
• Church of the Epiphany Food Pantry: The ECFP provides non-perishable food and toiletries to anyone in their time of need, regardless of race, faith, gender, age, or background and no one is ever turned away.
   
• Closter Food Pantry: A local food pantry that serves residents of Closter, NJ and neighboring communities who are in need.
   
• Community FoodBank of New Jersey: Community FoodBank of New Jersey's mission is to fight hunger and poverty in New Jersey by assisting those in need and seeking long-term solutions.  We will engage, educate, and empower all sectors of society in the battle.
   
• Community Pantry (Paramus): The Paramus Community Pantry serves the needs of the under privileged and the most neediest families of Paramus. 
   

• CUMAC: A non-profit organization dedicated to feeding people and changing lives. Our team works to alleviate hunger and its root causes for those in need in northern New Jersey.

• End Hunger NJ - Find food assistance near you: Visit this page and fill out one or all fields to find food assistance near you.

• Faith and Hope Food Pantry at Christ Church: If your organization is willing to contribute or, if you are in need please contact the Church's office.

• FoodFinder US: FoodFinder is a safe, secure and award-winning mobile and web app that gives food insecure children and their families a way to find free food assistance programs quickly.

• Food Brigade Inc.: Our mission is to provide food, in the form of both prepared meals and fresh and packaged foods, to local families and individuals dealing with hunger and food insecurity.

• Hasbrouck Heights Food Pantry: The pantry is still serving families in need on Monday mornings from 9 am to 11 am. The recreation department is reaching out to the senior population, asking if they or any friends need any supplies or food.

• Helping Hand Food Pantry: It is entirely staffed by dedicated volunteers and relies on private donations, grocery stores, fundraisers, food drives and grants to serve those in need. 

• Lyndhurst Food Pantry: The Lyndhurst Health Department’s Food Pantry is available for Lyndhurst residents who are in need.

• National Hunger Hotline: The hotline staff can help you find food near where you live. It’s a free call.

• Office of Concern Food Pantry at St. Cecilia: Our families include the working poor, retirees, and those struggling to feed babies and small children. Once a family registers with us they can come to our location and receive food once a week.

• Queen of Peace Church Food Pantry: Non-perishable food items will be distributed weekly to individuals and families in our community who are currently going

Eligibility	see individual agency pages
Age Groups	Children Adolescents Adults Seniors
Community Services	Basic Needs / Assistance Food Pantry / Soup Kitchen Halfway House Housing / Shelter Supportive Housing Employment / Training Life Skills Training Preparing for Adulthood Family & Support Services Case Management Divorce & Co-Parenting Family Support Parenting & Caregiving
Health Services	Crisis / Safety Crisis / Safety / Prevention Emergency Preparedness
Areas Served	Bergen County

Last Updated: 11/22/24